Dangerous Highway

The coast route has spectacular scenery but we were making slow progress as the road is narrow with many bends. After a couple of hours or so on the route we eased into a road stop cafe topped up on fuel and enjoyed some fruit ( pie ) with coffees.

There were quite a few other bikers around and just as we were about to leave we got into conversation with a group travelling our way also on Harleys. Turned out that one of them was a deputy sherriff ( we seem to be doing well meeting police officers !)  After ten minutes chat we moved off....

Heading on down the road after about five miles we hit a bit of a traffic jam and saw a CHP car in front suddenly light up, swing into the opposite lane and head off past the queue.

Transpired there had been a nasty accident. A people carrier had taken a bend at (very?) fast speed and overturned broadside across the carriageway. Luckily I suppose the driver had avoided going over the significant cliff to the right but it was a nasty looking scene all the same.

A fair queue built up witht the road closed both directions. Soon the bikers we had met caught up, along with a few others. It turned out that there was only  the driver in the people carrier. Emergency services arrived from the opposite direction and got the guy out. He was removed to a helicopter which landed on the road by us and the van  ( what was left of it ) was righted and pushed aside.

Of course the bikes were all at the front of the queue so we went off in fine style with a long line of Harleys roaring off down the road.

According to Alan this was 'heavy mist' ( He must be right .............as the song says 'it never rains in california' )

The whole event took over an hour so we were delayed and only arrived at Pismo Beach at nine o'clock. The clouds were getting thicker and there were signs of 'spots' on the screen.

We checked into the Shorecliff Lodge and headed out to a good italian restaurant.